National Basketball Association's Mark Tatum Elected to the Board of Directors of The Partnership at Drugfree.org

NEW YORK, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Partnership at Drugfree.org is pleased to announce the election of Mark Tatum to its Board of Directors.

In his role as Executive Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships for the National Basketball Association (NBA), Tatum oversees marketing partnerships for the NBA, WNBA, NBA Development League and USA Basketball, both domestically and internationally. In this role, Tatum also manages the Business Development and Media groups, which work with the league's extensive list of marketing and media partners.  He works with senior executives from the most recognizable brands in sports marketing, some of which include Gatorade, The Coca-Cola Company, Sprint and Taco Bell, to strategize about the direction of NBA-themed promotions and advertising.

In addition, Tatum has been a key driver of new partnerships to the NBA, and has worked with partners such as adidas, Kia Motors and State Farm to expand their relationships with the league. He is responsible for sales across the NBA's controlled media platforms including NBA TV and NBA.com. Tatum also manages the sales relationships with the league's TV partners - ABC/ESPN and TNT - and is responsible for developing USA Basketball's marketing plan and sales strategy, and its overall relationship with the NBA.

"I'm honored to be elected to be on the Board of Directors of The Partnership at Drugfree.org," said Tatum. "The mission of The Partnership at Drugfree.org is an important one that keeps with the NBA's philosophy to give back to communities and individuals in need. I look forward to working with the entire team at The Partnership at Drugfree.org to help foster its ties with the sports and business community to further benefit the organization's mission."

"NBA has been a long-standing and steadfast partner in our work on behalf of children and families. We are honored to have Mark join our board where his deep enthusiasm for our mission is certain to have immediate impact. We are also excited and grateful for the opportunity to have such a strong leader help guide our outreach in the sports world," said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. "Mark's impressive marketing background, strategic mindset and keen understanding of how to effectively collaborate with the business community is certain to make our programs more effective and our outreach more expansive." 

During his 12-year tenure with the NBA, Tatum has held many positions, including Senior Vice President, Vice President of Business Development, Senior Director and Group Manager of Marketing Properties. Prior to his work with the NBA, Tatum worked for Major League Baseball in their Corporate Sponsorship and Marketing Department. He also held a number of sales management positions with Procter & Gamble and the Clorox Company.

Tatum received a bachelor's degree in business management and marketing from Cornell University in 1991. He is a 1998 graduate of Harvard Business School, and was elected President of the Harvard Business School Student Association during his time as a student.

He is on the Cornell College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Deans Advisory Council and the Athletic Alumni Advisory Board. Tatum sits on the Board of Trustees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was elected to the Harvard Business School Alumni Board. He is also a trustee at the Princeton Day School. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, SportsBusiness Journal honored him with a Forty under 40 Award.

"I want to salute and thank NBA Deputy Commissioner, Adam Silver, who over the past six years has contributed greatly as an active member of our board of directors. Adam served during a period of significant transformation of our work and the creation of innovative, science-based resources designed to help parents and their children. Adam's thoughtful approach and steady hand will be missed," said Pat Russo, Chairman of the Board of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. "Mark Tatum's stepping forward and his strong desire to serve is yet another indication of the excellence that is embodied in the NBA executive leadership team.  We could not be more blessed to have Mark join us." 

About The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Ninety percent of addictions get their start in the teenage years. The Partnership at Drugfree.org is dedicated to helping families solve the problem of teen substance abuse. Bringing together renowned scientists, parent experts and communications professionals, this public health nonprofit translates research on teen behavior, parenting, addiction and treatment into useful and effective resources at drugfree.org. Its You Are Not Alone campaign is dedicated to supporting families of the 11 million teens and young adults who need addiction treatment, while the organization's community education programs reach families at the grassroots level. The Partnership at Drugfree.org mission to help parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by their children depends on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector. We are thankful to SAG/AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity.

SOURCE The Partnership at Drugfree.org